Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam says the time has come to increase the state's investment. He doesn't call for a tax rate increase, as some school districts have requested.

But in a piece for the Tampa Bay Times, Putnam throws his support behind a bill (SB 1076 / HB 899) that would direct some tax revenue from business electricity bills toward schools. He estimates that $225 million a year -- a portion of what districts say they need -- could come from the move.

"In order to prepare Florida's students to compete in this increasingly global economy, investing in our next generation must be a top priority. We must provide them with a high-quality education, and that includes the resources they need to succeed in school," Putnam writes. "We must dedicate a long-term, sustainable source of funding to support Florida's schools."

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.